Top News:
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Notes: Wright trying to fit in — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — After two turns through the rotation, Jaret Wright just wants to keep pace with the rest of his peers. Baltimore's rotation has been outstanding in its first nine spring games, and Wright credits a subtle form of peer pressure.
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Nats edged by Orioles — Speigner pitches 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief — ORIOLES 4, NATIONALS 3 — Nationals at the plate: Center fielder Darnell McDonald got hit by a pitch, moved to third on an error and scored Washington's first run on a groundout in the seventh inning.
Amy Shipley / Washington Post:
Chico Hurts His Chances — For pitcher Matt Chico, this otherwise meaningless spring training game mattered. — Washington Nationals Manager Manny Acta made that clear before Friday's 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, declaring Chico's second start against a loaded lineup a necessary test …
Discussion:
William World News
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Zimmerman's contract — (Please put aside the lame showing by the Journal yesterday. And please note that it did not affect the coverage of the Nationals in the actual ink-and-paper product (just $.35). I'm not supposed to be posting on the weekend, so consider this bonus Journal coverage.)
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Chris Needham / Capitol Punishment:
No Long-Term Extension...For Now — The Nats renewed Ryan Zimmerman's contract at $400K. Apparently, they've been unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal. Hopefully they'll keep plugging away. If they wait until after this year, the David Wright deal would be a perfect model …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Justice B. Hill / MLB.com:
Maholm struggles, Pirates fall to Yanks — Lefty starter allows three runs in spring debut — YANKEES 5, PIRATES 3 — Yankees at the plate: In the first inning, Robinson Cano's single knocked in the game's first run as the Yankees grabbed a 1-0 lead. With the bases loaded …
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Padres pitcher goes on 'tasty' safari — PEORIA, Ariz. —Lions and leopards and Boomer, oh my. David Wells, a former resident of the Bronx Zoo and one of baseball's notable party animals, came away from a three-week African safari with a sense of awe, a rare admission that he was scared and a full stomach.
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Associated Press:
Boston 11, Philadelphia 10 — CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — David Ortiz hit a long home run and the Boston Red Sox roughed up Cole Hamels in an 11-10 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. — Hamels gave up four runs in the first and lasted only two innings. He allowed three hits and walked four.
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Blogging Baseball
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Fox Sports:
New era dawning for Brew Crew? — The Milwaukee Brewers haven't managed a winning campaign since 1992, and they haven't made the playoffs since 1982. In the upcoming season, however, they have the chance to end both droughts. — Under GM Doug Melvin (who never, ever should've been fired in Texas) …
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Wilson eyes patience at plate — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — BRADENTON, Fla. — Jack Wilson is aware that some question the Pirates' decision to bat him No. 2 in the order, given his .305 career on-base percentage. — At the same time, he seems determined to prove management right.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals' Biggest Hires Don't Even Play — VIERA, Fla. — On paper, the Washington Nationals' important business Friday took place in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they played another Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles. In practice, the bulk of the regular lineup remained …
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Sanchez to meet with brass — Reliever has Saturday chat planned with Randolph, Minaya — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The late Duaner Sanchez didn't make it to camp in time for the Friday workout, either. Nor was he supposed to. His enforced absence extended into a second day by decree …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Take a look at Sammy — Cubs do, and he gets 2 hits vs. team that didn't want him back — SURPRISE, Ariz. — If Sammy Sosa had his way, the Cubs' first look at him this spring would have come a lot sooner than Friday, when he started in right field for the Texas Rangers in a split-squad exhibition against the Cubs.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Redding confident in abilities — MLB.com sits down for spring Q&A with hurler … MLB.com: I spoke to pitching coach Randy St. Claire two days after your outing against the Braves, and he felt you were trying to do too much on the mound and possibly a little nervous. Was that the case?
